Who are the “tenants from hell”?
These are tenants who:
- They are late in paying their rent or not paying it at all
- They do not pay overhead costs on time
- Intentionally, when reading the meter independently (electricity, gas, water), they force a lower balance so that the amount of the bill is lower
- They do not take care of the apartment, damage the apartment and the furniture that is in the apartment
- They disrupt the house order and create problems in the building
- If they have pets, they often neglect them, do not take them regularly for a walk, leave them alone in the apartment
- They bring in strangers who live with them and thus increase the number of tenants, all without prior consultation with the owners of the apartments
- They leave without warning, leaving debts and a mess
How to recognize and avoid them? Tips for apartment owners
If you are the owner of a property that you want to rent and do not want subtenants from hell, the first rule is to arrange an apartment for rent.
Namely, the first rule is that if the apartment is unfurnished, in poor condition and with old and dilapidated furniture, in addition to having to reduce the price, you must also be prepared for problematic tenants.
When you have arranged the apartment for rent, go in search of the tenant.
When searching, pay attention to the following warning signs:
- They insist on quick immigration
- Refuse to sign a formal contract, do not want to solemnize the Lease Agreement
- They offer “paperless” cash
- They show disrespect already at the first meeting, are late for an appointment, avoid answering about employment, do not answer the phone, mail,...
How to protect yourself as a landlord?
1. Legal contract — key protection
Without a contract, there is no security. Certainly our recommendation is to regulate the rental through Lease agreement.
You can also solemnize the lease agreement with a notary.
Namely, the solemnized lease agreement has the force of an enforceable document. This means that if the subtenant does not comply with the provisions of the Lease Agreement, you can initiate enforcement proceedings without an additional lawsuit. This certainly saves both time and money.
Ask your tenants to provide you with employment information. Specify in the lease agreement all tenants who will live in the apartment. If they are adults, list all of them as tenants and, most importantly, list all of them as payers in the payment of rent and overhead costs. Distribute the responsibility to everyone who will live in the apartment.
The question often arises as to who draws up the solemnized Lease Agreement?
When we as Euro-Interiors agency manage the rental of an apartment, the preparation of the Contract is most often done by us in agreement with the owner of the apartment and the tenant. I send such a preparation to a notary, who then draws up an apartment rental agreement in the form of a notarial deed.
Such an Agreement is signed by both the owner of the apartment and the tenant and solemnise their signature with a notary.
Since such a form of an apartment rental agreement is somewhat more expensive and, as a rule, it is mainly insisted on by the owners of the apartment, the cost of it is also paid by the owners of the apartment.
2. Deposit and insurance
The deposit is generally paid in the amount of one monthly rent and serves to cover any expenses or non-payment that may arise.
In addition to the deposit, we at Euro-Interiors advise apartment owners to insure them with insurance companies. Namely, with an insurance premium it is possible to insure even furniture in the apartment.
3. Tenant check
Ask the tenant to provide you with a copy of your identity card. Ask him where he lived before? What is the reason for the move? Try to ask in your circles if anyone knows him? Ask him where he works, how long he has been working for the last employer. How often does he change jobs? Namely, all of the above will help you get a better picture of your tenant, and make a decision whether he is the right choice for you.
Once you have found your ideal suitor, you still have to communicate and control regularly, at least initially so that everything works and so that you are both satisfied.
Of course, you should also keep in mind that the apartment you rent will become a new home for your tenants and that it is normal for them to adapt it to their wishes and needs. Nor should we ignore the fact that it is quite common to see traces of use on the apartment after a certain time. You must be prepared that over time it will not be necessary to replace the appliances in the apartment, the furniture in the apartment as well as that the apartment will have to be further edited/adapted.
Namely, often the owners of apartments expect that all repairs are paid by the subtenants, as well as that the apartment after the tenants leave must look the same as when they entered it. This is of course not realistic, just as it is not realistic to expect tenants to varnish the parquet or decorate the bathroom. This will still have to be arranged by the owner of the apartment. On the other hand, if the tenants damage something in the apartment through their negligence, it is normal for them to damage and repair.
Conclusion
A bad tenant can bring you more harm than good. But with a good selection and extra protection, renting an apartment doesn't have to be a nightmare.
Real estate agency Euro-interiors has been operating since 1998. We have a large number of successfully rented apartments behind us. Our experience is your guarantee that together with you we will choose the best subtenant, and with our advice you will establish a good and quality relationship with your tenant, so that renting an apartment does not become a nightmare.
Contact us with confidence!